I'm not a person who has cemented my beliefs
into any single form of faith.

I try to have as much respect
for the Hindu
as I do for the Jewish
for Christians, Catholics, Prodestants, Episcopalians
for Baptists, Muslims and Buddhists,
expression of faith
is not limited to one class
or culture of people.

Lately I found myself
trying to understand God
asking who he was
and what were we to learn
from everything that was happening
in this topsy turvy world
we were living day by day in.

When we started to lose our ground
and began to experience
a new level of hurt and confusion
my father sent me a poem.

He said it reminded him of us,
and suggested it might help us on
our journey to healing.

Admittedly, at first I rolled my eyes,
as I looked at the name of the author.
" Here comes something sanctimonious "
I thought immediately.

But ironically that letter from my father
contained the quote
I think of virtually everyday.

I found myself thanking my father
if only subconsciously each day.

When I question past decisions
it's comforting.
When I judge myself
it grounds me.
When I am depressed or feel lost
it motivates me.

People are often unreasonable,
illogical, and self centered.
Forgive them anyway.
 
If you are kind, people may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
 
If you are successful you will win some false friends
and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
 
If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.
 
What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.
 
If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
 
The good you do today people
will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
 
Give the world the best you have
and it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
 
You see, in the final analysis,
it's between you and God.
It never was between you and them anyway.
 
- Kent Keith

Copyright © 2004 Maryanne & Mark F. Chisholm. All rights reserved.